Vision for Seattle's new waterfront becomes clearer

Updated 12:44 pm, Friday, July 13, 2012

Photo: Sky-Pix Aerial Photography, Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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Through the waterfront design process, Seattle residents say they wanted
views of Elliott Bay preserved, open spaces and parks, entertainment
and better connections for pedestrians, bikes and transit. Landscape
architect James Corner said of this rendering: "As you can see, it's greener,
it's more user friendly, it's more
oriented to people, and it seems like it offers a diverse, exciting
range of activities to be able to draw not just tourists, but local
residents." less

Through the waterfront design process, Seattle residents say they wanted
views of Elliott Bay preserved, open spaces and parks, entertainment
and better connections for pedestrians, bikes and transit. ... more

Photo: Sky-Pix Aerial Photography, Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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A new pebble beach at the waterfront edge of Pioneer Square with close proximity to the water taxi.

A new pebble beach at the waterfront edge of Pioneer Square with close proximity to the water taxi.

Photo: Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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The new waterfront will have a promenade and 16-foot bike lane, as well as better east-west access for pedestrians walking to the waterfront from downtown.

The new waterfront will have a promenade and 16-foot bike lane, as well as better east-west access for pedestrians walking to the waterfront from downtown.

Photo: Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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The new promenade would have more open spaces to gather, sit and enjoy the views.

The new promenade would have more open spaces to gather, sit and enjoy the views.

Photo: Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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Beneath the new Ferris wheel, Comer envisions a mist generator for sunny days along a new Union Street pier to create an "atmospheric threshold between the city and the water."

Beneath the new Ferris wheel, Comer envisions a mist generator for sunny days along a new Union Street pier to create an "atmospheric threshold between the city and the water."

Photo: Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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Here, we see the waterfront design takes into account that it rains a lot in Seattle. Canopies have been incorporated into the design so residents can enjoy the waterfront's amenities in bad weather.

Here, we see the waterfront design takes into account that it rains a lot in Seattle. Canopies have been incorporated into the design so residents can enjoy the waterfront's amenities in bad weather.

Photo: Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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Seattle piers would be abuzz with new activities, including concerts, a roller-skating rink, kayak launch, and even a heated swimming pool on a moveable barge that could be retrofitted for outdoor concerts.

Seattle piers would be abuzz with new activities, including concerts, a roller-skating rink, kayak launch, and even a heated swimming pool on a moveable barge that could be retrofitted for outdoor concerts.

Photo: Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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Photo: Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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A walkway with "dramatic, elevated views" would connect people from the Pike Place Market to the Seattle Aquarium and a waterfront park.

A walkway with "dramatic, elevated views" would connect people from the Pike Place Market to the Seattle Aquarium and a waterfront park.

Photo: Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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Here's a look at a new plaza and park outside the aquarium.

Here's a look at a new plaza and park outside the aquarium.

Photo: Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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Seattle residents made clear they wanted views of Elliott Bay preserved with the new waterfront.

Seattle residents made clear they wanted views of Elliott Bay preserved with the new waterfront.

Photo: Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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Another aerial view a new tree-lined Alaskan Way boulevard.

Another aerial view a new tree-lined Alaskan Way boulevard.

Photo: Courtesy Of City Of Seattle And James Corner Field Operations

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Vision for Seattle's new waterfront becomes clearer

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If you think Seattle's new Ferris wheel is cool, wait until you see what's in store for the rest of the waterfront after the Alaskan Way Viaduct is torn down.

Renowned landscape architect James Corner, whose firm is leading the design, presented a more fleshed out vision Thursday during a presentation at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.

"It's critical that this be seen as a waterfront for all," said Maggie Walker, co-chair of the waterfront advisory committee created to oversee the design and planning process. "We feel very strongly that the public -- the people of this city -- need to carve out a piece of this for themselves that is open, free, accessible to all, and beautiful and a place that represents our hopes and dreams."

Visuals from the presentation are included in the gallery above.

There would be a new tree-lined Alaskan Way, with a promenade and bike lanes. There would be plazas and overlooks, and a pool on a moveable barge in a waterfront park near the Seattle Aquarium. Sidewalk cafes would sprout up where loading docks exist now in the shadow of the viaduct.

A new pebble beach would reconnect Pioneer Square with the waterfront. And a new walkway with dramatic views would link Pike Place Market with the Seattle Aquarium.

The latest iteration takes into account that the public felt very strongly about preserving views of Elliott Bay and creating open spaces for gathering and walking, as well as a more seamless connection between downtown and the waterfront.